FIFA cash flasher charged with trespassing after Blatter stunt
July 22 – The professional prankster who broke through security to gatecrash Sepp Blatter’s press conference on Monday is to be charged with trespassing by Swiss authorities.
Messi shares FIFA 16 cover with US’s Alex Morgan
July 22 – After breaking a number of records at their recent World Cup in Canada, the women’s game has scored yet another first by being featured on the front of EA Sports’ FIFA 16, the hugely popular video game.
Massimo Cecchini: Tavecchio faces a dangerous decision
The setting is certainly fascinating and the event promises to be a media heaven. But, as ever, the danger is in the ambush that lurks around the corner. On July 28, in Milan, under the “world” banner offered by the Milan Expo, will be the draw for the calendar of the 2015-2016 Serie A season, which will open on the weekend of August 22-23. But should we be so sure?
Tax collector to re-auction CSKA logos after no buyers in first round
By Alexander Krassimirov
July 22 – The Bulgarian tax collector, the National Revenue Agency (NAP), has failed to find a buyer for the CSKA Sofia brand (it’s logos and trademarks) and has dropped the asking price by 20%, to BGN2,944,288 (€1,472,144). This is the second time it has lowered the price.
FIFA electoral committee meets as bookies roll out odds on potential runners
By David Owen
July 22 – FIFA’s ad hoc electoral committee met on Tuesday, just a day after February 26 was fixed as the date of the election that is expected to bring down the curtain on Sepp Blatter’s near 18-year reign as President of world football’s governing body.
Beckham forced to go less posh, settling for Little Havana in Miami
By Ben Nicholson
July 21 – David Beckham appears to have found a mutually agreeable site in Miami for his long awaited MLS franchise. The city’s resolve to push Beckham away from its prime real estate has forced him to resort to the less desirable land next to Marlins Park, home to a Major League Baseball team, which is west of downtown in Little Havana.
Inside Editorial: Food for thought. Warner and the sub judice rule
For those who like to think before they foam at their keyboard, the editorial reprinted here from the Trinidad Daily Express raises some important, generally forgotten, issues. Jack Warner may be a crook, he may be a bad man but this editorial points out where much of the media have been going wrong. It suggests a lot of physicians in and around the world of football need to start with healing themselves, or at least a health check.
Chung says FIFA presidency isn’t the birthright of Europeans
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – One of the potential contenders for FIFA president and a long time bitter rival of Sepp Blatter has said that leaving him until February 26 to stay in the job shows the organisation “have yet to come to their senses”.
Sunderland double up with Betfair for season start
By Mark Baber
July 21 – Sunderland have announced a new partnership with Betfair who become the club’s official UK betting partner for the 2015-16 season.
Who really owns Neymar? Now DIS claim they have been ‘cheated’
By Ricardo Setyon
July 21 – The on-going saga of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona and who actually ‘owns’ Neymar has taken another twist with one of the third party owners, an investment group from Brazil, claiming they have been cheated by Neymar’s father and Barcelona.
First out the blocks? Platini poised to announce run at FIFA presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Michel Platini could announce as early as this weekend or the start of next week that he will stand for FIFA president after consulting colleagues attending the 2018 World Cup draw in St. Petersburg.
Lee Wellings: FIFA still putting on a show
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any crazier at the HQ of football’s world governing body, along came Simon Brodkin. That’s the British prankster who suddenly showered Sepp Blatter with fake dollar bills in his attempt to “secure the 2026 World Cup for North Korea”.
Hannover 96 fans park camper vans on pitch for a night
July 21 – For Hannover 96 fans the often used football phrase “they came and parked their bus in front of the goal” took on a more literal meaning when 12 of them actually did it at the club’s HDI Arena.
Matt Scott: FIFA has created a moral vacuum that other interests will fill
“The danger is that the indulgence and attachments of the people will keep a man in the chair after he becomes a dotard, that reelection through life shall become habitual and election for life follow that.”
“I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” Thomas Jefferson
Young nation though it still is,
Man City warm up for Real Madrid as CFG finds some Coco Joy
July 21 – As Manchester City prepare for the new season in Australia, including a first time-ever match against sister club Melbourne City FC, owner City Football Group (CFG) is starting to show the benefits of the sponsorship leverage a larger group of clubs can provide.